Psalm 22:12-13
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What's striking here is not just the imagery of fierce animals, but the specific mention of "bulls of Bashan." This wasn't just any wild bull; Bashan was known for its incredibly rich pastures, producing the most powerful and formidable cattle. So, the Psalmist isn't just saying "I'm surrounded by strong enemies," but "I'm surrounded by the elite, pampered, and utterly dominant forces of the day," highlighting the overwhelming and almost impossible odds he faces.
Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling utterly surrounded and attacked by powerful enemies. These adversaries are described not just as people, but as fierce, strong bulls, particularly those from the fertile region of Bashan known for its robust cattle, highlighting their insolent power and aggression. This vivid imagery sets the stage for the psalm's escalating descriptions of suffering and abandonment.
Have you ever felt completely surrounded by overwhelming opposition? The Psalmist uses a powerful image to describe his adversaries.
The Psalmist compares his enemies to 'many bulls' and 'strong bulls of Bashan.' This isn't just about a large number of foes; it's about their nature.
Brutal Strength and Ferocity
Bulls, especially those from the fertile region of Bashan, were known for their immense strength, wildness, and aggressive nature. They would charge with their horns, relentlessly attacking anything new or threatening.
Intentional Malice
These weren't just neutral forces; they were actively 'compassing' and 'besetting' the Psalmist. This imagery speaks to a deliberate, coordinated, and brutal assault, full of fierce rage and the intent to destroy.
Why 'bulls of Bashan'? What makes this specific location so significant in this powerful image?
Bashan was a well-known region east of the Jordan River, famous for its incredibly rich pastures. This fertility produced exceptionally large, strong, and often wild cattle.
Pasture of Strength
In the ancient world, the quality of the land directly influenced the strength and size of its livestock. Bashan's abundance meant its bulls were renowned throughout the region for their sheer power and formidable presence.
Symbol of Elite Oppressors
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When the Psalmist refers to 'strong bulls of Bashan,' he's not just talking about animals. He's invoking an image of the most powerful, well-fed, and aggressive creatures imaginable. This points to enemies who are not only numerous but also possess significant power, authority, and resources – the 'elite' of their society, using their strength to oppress.
The Psalmist paints a grim picture of being surrounded. But what's the ultimate message woven into this cry for help?
While Psalms 22:12 vividly describes the Psalmist's desperate situation, it's crucial to see it within the broader context of the psalm and its ultimate fulfillment.
The Suffering Servant
Commentators often see this psalm, and particularly this verse, as a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by powerful religious and political enemies (chief priests, Pharisees, Roman authorities) who conspired to bring about His death. Their 'bull-like' rage and strength were focused on Him.
Trust Amidst the Storm
Even in the face of such overwhelming and brutal opposition, the Psalmist (and ultimately Christ) doesn't succumb to despair. This cry is not the end of the story; it's a prelude to deliverance. The psalm moves from intense suffering to ultimate praise and victory, pointing to God's faithfulness to rescue His Anointed.
A Glimpse of the Cross and Resurrection
This verse, when viewed through the lens of Christ, encapsulates the immense pressure and hostility He faced. Yet, His 'suffering' led to the ultimate victory over sin and death, offering hope and redemption to all who trust in Him.
Understand the original words
parim · Hebrew Noun
Large, powerful bovine animals often used in Scripture as metaphors for arrogant, oppressive, or destructive adversaries of the righteous.
Bashan · Hebrew Proper Noun
A fertile region east of the Jordan known for its rich pastures and large livestock; used figuratively to represent formidable, well-fed, or prideful enemies.
ari · Hebrew Noun
A predatory animal known for its strength, ferocity, and terrifying roar; frequently used in the Bible to symbolize aggressive persecutors or the devouring nature of death.
The imagery of 'strong bulls of Bashan' vividly portrays powerful, insolent oppressors, a common experience for ancient Israelites, particularly during David's reign, but also resonating with the collective trauma of exile and the suffering of Christ.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King of Israel
David, the Psalmist, faced numerous enemies and rebellions during his long reign, including internal strife and external threats. He experienced periods of intense danger and persecution.
c. 930 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy split into two kingdoms: Israel (north) and Judah (south). This division led to ongoing conflicts and instability.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Expansion
The Assyrian Empire began its aggressive expansion, conquering surrounding kingdoms and leading to the eventual exile of the northern kingdom of Israel. This created an atmosphere of fear and oppression.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and deported its population, a catastrophic event that deeply impacted the collective memory and faith of the Israelites.
c. 605-586 BC
Babylonian Captivity
The Babylonian Empire conquered Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its Temple, and exiling much of the population. This period represented a profound crisis of faith and identity.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marked the beginning of the post-exilic period.
This passage directly uses the image of the 'cows of Bashan' to describe powerful and oppressive women, echoing the Psalmist's use of Bashan bulls to represent formidable adversaries.
Ezekiel 39:18This prophecy describes a mighty army as 'mighty bulls' and 'he-goats,' similar to the Psalmist's depiction of powerful enemies, highlighting the use of animal imagery for overwhelming military force.
Matthew 27:1In the Gospel account of Jesus' trial, the chief priests and elders conspire against Him, mirroring the Psalmist's experience of being surrounded by a multitude of hostile leaders, much like the 'bulls' described.
Luke 23:12This verse describes the immediate alliance between Herod and Pilate against Jesus, illustrating the formidable and united front of powerful figures that the Psalmist experienced as being surrounded by 'bulls'.
Psalm 2:1-3This psalm describes the rulers of the earth taking their stand and conspiring together against the Lord and His Anointed, capturing the same sense of overwhelming opposition from powerful figures as seen in the 'bulls of Bashan.'
pulpitPsalms 22:12: "Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round."
Verse 12. - Many bulls have compassed me. The Sufferer represents the adversaries who crowd around him under the figure of "bulls" - fierce animals in all parts of the world, and in Palestine particularly' wild and ferocious. "Bulls,, and buffaloes are very numerous, says Canon Tristram, "in Southern Judaea; they are in the habit of gathering in a circle around any novel or unaccustomed object, and may be…
ellicottPsalms 22:12: "Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round."
(12) Bulls of Bashan. —For “Bashan” see Numbers 21:33 ; for its pastures and cattle, comp. Deuteronomy 32:14 , and for the figures, Amos 4:1 . Instead of “fat bulls,” the LXX. and Vulgate paraphrase “strong ones of Bashan.” The point of the comparison lies in the wantonness and insolence of pampered pride, displayed by the minions of fortune.
What's striking here is not just the imagery of fierce animals, but the specific mention of "bulls of Bashan." This wasn't just any wild bull; Bashan was known for its incredibly rich pastures, producing the most powerful and formidable cattle. So, the Psalmist isn't just saying "I'm surrounded by strong enemies," but "I'm surrounded by the elite, pampered, and utterly dominant forces of the day," highlighting the overwhelming and almost impossible odds he faces.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling utterly surrounded and attacked by powerful enemies. These adversaries are described not just as people, but as fierce, strong bulls, particularly those from the fertile region of Bashan known for its robust cattle, highlighting their insolent power and aggression. This vivid imagery sets the stage for the psalm's escalating descriptions of suffering and abandonment.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling utterly surrounded and attacked by powerful enemies. These adversaries are described not just as people, but as fierce, strong bulls, particularly those from the fertile region of Bashan known for its robust cattle, highlighting their insolent power and aggression. This vivid imagery sets the stage for the psalm's escalating descriptions of suffering and abandonment.
"Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion." — What's striking here is not just the imagery of fierce animals, but the specific mention of "bulls of Bashan." This wasn't just any wild bull; Bashan was known for its incredibly rich pastures, pro…
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Last reviewed October 2026
